Over the years one of the most frequent questions I get is “How do you pay for all of this trackchasing”? Yes, as you might imagine there is some expense to this hobby. As you may know I have been retired for more than fifteen years. I retired fully from “working for the man” at the tender young age of fifty-three.

In any given year I will stay in a hotel some 140-150 nights. I’ll fly on more than 200 airplanes every year. My trackchasing travel requires me to rent more than fifty cars annually. Somewhat surprising is the distances I travel will require that I purchase nearly a full tank of gas for every day of actual trackchasing. Throw in airport parking, race tickets and three meals a day and you can certainly see their is some expense associated with trackchasing.

Providing financial reports have never been a requirement to participate in the hobby. I wish they were. Maybe then I could prove that I’m on the lower end of the economic scale with this group. Most of my fellow competitors have a full-time job or inherited big money that funds their trackchasing endeavors. In retirement I do not receive a company pension of any kind. About 50 years ago I inherited $13,000 U.S. from my grandfather but for the life of me can’t remember what I spent it on. I like simply refer to myself as “a retired pensioner living on a small fixed income”.

It just turns out that I have had some of the most unusual experiences with my trackchasing hobby. Some border on the unbelievable. It also just turns out that sometimes when I try to explain these unusual experiences it’s April 1st. Some celebrate April 1 as April Fool’s Day. You might enjoy reading my explanations. Equally interesting have been the reactions of friends, family and fans.

In 2007 I provided this explanation about how I actually pay all of my trackchasing expenses.

There comes a time in everyone’s life where it’s time to step down. Many of you have asked how I could keep up the pace and expense of trackchasing. Now, that I am officially retiring from the hobby, I can finally give you the real background behind how I’ve been able to do this.

When I retired from Procter & Gamble in 2002 at age 53, it was not simply to leave the workforce for a life of leisure. Since my Marine Corps days (1971-77), I’ve had a strong desire to serve our country in one manner or another. It was at this time that the Bureau of Firearms and Tobacco was gearing up their federal air marshal program.

Following 35 years with Procter & Gamble, applying for the federal air marshal program seemed like the perfect thing to do to help our country following several terrorist attacks. Since July 1, 2002, I have been part of the federal air marshal program. I first completed the six-week, Federal Air Marshall and Security Officer training program in San Antonio, Texas. This program was overseen by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Upon completion of this program, I was commissioned as a Federal Air Marshall Second Class and began my new career on September 1, 2002. By contract with the federal government, I could tell only Carol about my new career.

Federal air marshals work 1-3 flights per week. They are known to only the pilot and first officer on the flight they are working on. I guess I’m happy to say that during my nearly five years with the program, I didn’t meet any terrorists. The worst thing I encountered was one man having a heart attack and an emergency landing for a woman going into child labor.

This may answer the question of how or even why a person could afford to fly all over the country for the sole purpose of “seeing racetracks.” Yes, I love to watch auto racing. However, I could never afford to do the amount of traveling I’ve done without my behind the scenes job. I hope that no one feels deceived by this background. This was the job of a lifetime for me and the trackchasing “cover” if you will, allowed me to keep my true mission from concerning my family and friends. By the way, until last week our children did not even know that Dad was a part of the Federal Air Marshall program.

The United States government requires that all federal marshals retire when they reach the age of 58 years, four months. I reached this arbitrary age limit today, Sunday, April 1, 2007. Now I will be officially retired from both Procter & Gamble and the United States Government.

But wait…………………..did he say April 1? Yes, April 1! That’s April Fool’s Day! Did I catch you?

In 2013 I changed my explanation regarding how I actually pay all of my trackchasing expenses.

I’ve been trying to delay this message as long as I could.

Yes, I have been trying to delay this message as long as I could. However, I have always maintained a policy of 100% honesty in my reports to you. During this trying time I don’t think it would be good to change that policy now.

The #1 question that people ask me is how do I pay for my hobby with all of the travel, the airplane rides, the hotels and rental cars etc. I’ve always told you I don’t get a company pension, I’ve never gotten a big inheritance and both Carol and I came from some very poor backgrounds.

Financial times have been a little rough for us despite outward appearances over the past few years. You may have noticed I dropped out of my golf country club. At the turn of the year I had to get rid of the famous Carol Lewis owned Lexus LS430. To save more money Carol has been somewhat conspicuous in her absence from trackchasing.

I have been retired for more than ten years without any work income coming in during that time. In order to make ends meet I must confess that I took some liberties with my income taxes. When you make bad decisions, even though you may get away with them in the short term, you will almost certainly pay for them in the long term.

A bit more than two years ago, Carol and I received a notice from the IRS. They were questioning some of the tax deductions and statements I had made with my tax returns for the years 2008-2010. I must confess now that not everything I sent to the IRS was true.

I now know the IRS is not a group that you want to mess with. We just received word after our hearing at the IRS Superior Court of Orange County regarding the penalty for cheating on your taxes.

The hearing and final judgment required a compromise on our part. I really didn’t want to do it this way but our legal counsel told us we had no choice. I ended up pleading guilty to seven counts of misrepresenting my mortgage interest deductions and trackchasing “business” expenses. Five of those charges were misdemeanors and the final two were class 2 felonies.

Although I feel badly for myself I feel worse for Carol. Because she also signed the tax returns she assumed a share of the guilt as well even though she had no part in my plans to cheat on my taxes.

Last Tuesday we attended the penalty phase of our trial hearing. The judge was not very understanding of our situation despite having no previous criminal background. Apparently as the government searches for more revenue they are really cracking down on people who challenge the tax code.

Let me cut to the chase. You won’t be receiving any Trackchaser Reports from me for a while. The judge, noted for his severe approach to convicted tax felons, provided for the maximum fine with penalties and interest and jail sentence.

If I could provide any advice to you whatsoever it’s “Don’t cheat on your income taxes”. Carol and I will have to repay, over ten years, taxes and penalties of more than $317,000. That’s not exactly the worst of it. Since I was the one responsible for this I was sentenced to nine months in the California state petitionary at Folsom in Northern California. That will be followed by five years of probation. Sadly, Carol received a two-year probationary sentence.

I’m sorry to have let those close to me down. I’ll try to make it up to you. In the meantime try to keep us in your hearts and prayers.

Respectfully,

Randy Lewis

P.S. One more thing…..this is an April Fool’s joke! Did I get you?

And the people respond!

Angry fans!

Thanks to the people who responded to my plea for help as I was sent to Folsom prison on April Fool’s day.

My 2013 April Fool’s message went out to the PnGeezers group and my Trackchaser Report distribution list. I can only do this every few years (my “Air Marshal”report of six years ago was a classic) so as to maintain my credibility. It was great fun to read messages from long time friends and folks whom I have never met as they expressed their surprise and concern over my plight. I had asked at the end of the message if anyone had been “fooled”.I thought the responses were as funny as what I wrote. I was also impressed with the genuine concern that several people showed. Therefore I’ll share several of the comments with you. See you all in about four more years after the notoriety dies down!

Here are the responses.

that was the only April Fools e-mail I got all day and you got me good I didn’t suspect a
thing! good job!!!!

Very cool…..You got me hook, line and sinker. BUT…….if you are sent to Folsom prison sometime in the future, I would visit you at least once a year. My brother lives in Sacramento, which would make it easy.

Yes. I was going to send some money to help. But not now.

Nope! Â Long ago I learned to read the last paragraph of any message sent on or just before 4/1.

Once bitten, twice shy. You got me with the air marshal so I recognized this as BS from the start. I will not be believing anything from you around April 1.

I hope you get to hear Johnny Cash play the Folsom Prison Blues in person. I hear they also have conjugal visits for those lonely moments. In between the moments don’t drop the soap in the group shower. Good Luck.

Randy – You are a riot!!! I read a couple paragraphs then said WHAT!!!! Â THIS HAS TO BE A JOKE!!!! I looked at the date on your email and laughed out loud! Glad you are only “sentenced” to live at the Beach!!!

I hope the IRS doesn’t see this message and think that maybe you weren’t making a joke and decide to audit you for the last 50 years. 🙂

you SOB!

HEY thanks for the shocking jolt! You are the second one to get me today!

Did not believe a word of it as I know the financial mind involved. And the rich just get richer.

I am so very sorry and will keep you and your wife in my prayers.

Well Done Mr. Lewis!……..Always a pleasure to hear from you 🙂

Good one, Randy. And I was feeling so sorry for you. Outside of this obvious issue with the IRS, we hope everything else is going well for you and Carol. Of course, following your raceploints by email has pretty much confirmed you are leading a great life.

i told the local children i’ve hidden their easter eggs after 2 hours of not finding them i shouted april fools

Yep, You Got Me!!!

You got me big time! I was converting dollars to Swedish krona and was horrified at the amount of money you owed the IRS. And thinking of poor Carol…Your email was the first thing I read this morning and I was not awake enough to forget the date. I will remember this for a long time 🙂 Thanks for a very good laugh.

You rascal, you! I should never answer the phone or open an email on this day of the year. I’m going home now and lock the frickin door. (Yes, you got me!)

Not funny, Randy. I was brought to tears. Didn’t even think of the date.

This is not a good April fools joke! Anything we can do to help let me know. I live 30 min. from Folsom and be glad to visit. Daughter-In-Law works in the Dentist office there.

Ha…. I just read the bottom of your email. Guess you’re happy you got at least one person. I might add that I’m really gullible. LaNell J So happy this wasn’t true!!!!!! Woohoo

Wow! What a story.

Yes and I’m glad you did, I was really upset over the news and wondered how a really smart guy like you would do such a thing.

If that was the first thing I read today, you would have gotten me good, but I have already been gotten today, so For the rest of the day, I mistrust everything, even myself.

Well done, I read it out loud to my wife, but,as S. Baldwin said, there is lots of truth in Jest.

Yes, indeed. Though I initially wondered why one would post such a confession, the content was so well written that I got sucked into it. Well done.

Good one Randy – you had me going.

Hi Randy, you almost gave me a heart attack. I felt so bad for you and Carol. Glad it’s not true. Hope you are doing well.

Yes you did but I’m so glad it is a joke!!!!! But don’t do it again!!!!!

Now THAT was funny!!!

Your leaving the air marshal program was still fresh in my mind so not easily had this time but still pretty good.

Thank goodness it’s April Fools. My prayer before I saw the PS was answered by your PS.

Nope.

April 1 strikes again. Folsom Prison was the clue.

No, I figured it was one of the frequent hacked account/spam messages that we have seen lately 🙂 Good one though!

No, I knew you were much too smart to do it. However, I also assume that if you were going to “miss guide” the IRS you would be smart enough to make it work.

Enjoy your “track chasing”. Every kid should have a hobby.

Good one. Plus I learned a new term, trackchasing. Hope Carol appreciates your sense of humor…

I read the first two paragraphs and stopped. April fools day to you too. By the way I won the powerball jackpot this past weekend.

You had me “hooked” for about 2/3 of the message and I guessed it for sure when you said you were going to Folsom.

Nicely done Randy…..

You got me…..I was trying to figure out why you would share such personal business in pngeezers! I was also thinking about my charitable deductions! Shame on you!

Almost.

i fell for it hook, line & sinker!! SO happy it was a joke!! well played Randy, well played!

I hate to admit it, Randy, but yes, you just about had me. I blame the fact that I read your email before I had had my first cup of coffee, so my brain wasn’t hitting on all cylinders yet.

You got me but I must say it just wasn’t adding up!!!

That was mean. Glad to hear your a free man. Although, I couldn’t help but think to myself the reality that more and more good hard working Americans face the reality of your story every day. Some valid, some not. Without getting too heavily involved in a political discussion. You got me.

I got almost to the end before I realized it was an April Fool’s joke! What about those TrackChaser fans from foreign countries that have never heard of April Fool’s Day? They are still trying to understand what this is all about.

And here I was ready to send you a contribution! You are GOOD!

Problems – World Formula 1 race – Melbourne, Australia

Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you. My wife and I traveled to Melbourne, Australia this past week for the World Formula 1 Grand Prix auto race. We stayed at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne. As you know hotel prices can be out of sight during the big F1 events. However, with the very best rate for the Park Hyatt being $440/night we were able to get a deal on Priceline.com for just $125/night. That was probably the highlight of the trip.

We didn’t have any tickets in advance for the Formula 1 race itself. That’s never a problem for me. I would simply use my “Need Two” sign. I’ve used this many times in the past for those really big sporting events. Even though F1 race tickets can be $500 or more my sign always works like a charm to get tickets at far below market value from people who have “extras” for whatever reason.

However, it didn’t work well this time. I was minding my own business (my words) using my sign when a fellow in civilian clothes came up to me. We got into a bit of an argument, which turned into a shoving match regarding my sign. I had no idea that I was arguing with an undercover Melbourne police officer. Before I knew it I was thrown to the ground.

I ended up with a broken collarbone and a dislocated elbow. I was first karted off to a local infirmary before spending the night in jail. I normally buy international travel insurance, which covers most medical problems, from American Express. I forgot to do that on this trip. My medical bill came to $1,747 U.S. which I COULD pay for with my American Express. The fine for my altercation with the police officer was another $475.

What did I learn from all of this? Maybe it’s not such a good idea to try to buy scalped tickets. Maybe it’s not such a good idea to get into an argument with someone you don’t know. Maybe it is a good idea to buy international travel insurance. I share all of this in the hopes that someone can benefit from my bad experience in Australia.

Thanks to the people who responded. Their feedback showed they had fun with this too.

Very good, sucked me in.

Oh – Randy – you GOT me! Lol

Aha! Didn’t catch me this time! The “shoving match” part was the giveaway. The Randy Lewis I know wouldn’t get into any shoving matches.

You gave that one away when you went into getting into an argument and shoving match- not!

Have a good day

Could you send me a check for $2222? When I read the first part of your story, I rushed out and mailed you a check for that amount to offset your losses. When I finished reading your letter, I saw my error.

I got as far as “I ended up with a broken collarbone”, and then I recalled that today is April 1. Your best was the time you “revealed” that you were actually an air marshall. I bought that one completely. Happy AFD!

In reading your note to the conference I was stunned by your experience with the police and medical bills. Was going to send you a note to see if I could help you. Then I got to the bottom and enough said. Good one, you got me. Happy April 1.

Ha Ha! You got me on this one, though I thought you were traveling somewhere else.